A Nutrionist Speaks: How to Deal with Toxic Smog?

The levels of the deadliest, tiny particulate matter known as PM 2.5, which lodge deep in a person’s lungs, soared on Tuesday to 726, according to a U.S. embassy monitor. The situation is not expected to improve anytime soon.

World Health Organization guidelines suggest exposure to levels of about 10, while anything less than 50 is considered healthy and levels above 300 are considered “hazardous.” At 2 p.m. Wednesday, pollutants in Delhi’s air measured 833.

We all are struggling in our fight to stay healthy. Top Dietitian Rujuta Diwekar has posted some great tips on her Facebook wall for dealing with pollution. Here is what she has recommended:

You can start and end your day with this laddoo. Even it’s a good idea to have one after a strenuous journey in the pollution.

2. Sugarcane Raw or Juice

Rujuta suggests that you can either chew sugarcane and spit the fibre out or drink its fresh juice. Sugarcane helps in cleansing and detoxifying the liver. Further, it boosts the immune system and helps in beating lethargy and low mood due to smog.

Jaggery or Gud in Hindi, which is obtained from raw sugarcane juice will be extremely helpful in dealing with smog. Even industrial workers who work in dusty and smoky environments eat Gud after they are done with the day.

As per Dr M. Wali, former physician to the President of India “Jaggery is a rich source of instant energy, as it is loaded with iron. Iron-rich food improves the haemoglobin level in blood, which in turn increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This helps get rid of the acute effects of pollution,”.

3. Milk with Kesar, Haldi and Soaked Sabja Seeds

As per Rujuta, this nutritious drink helps in preventing skin and hair damage and in beating infection, allergies, and bloating. Further, Haldi and Milk have an anti-inflammatory effect.

How to prepare:

Heat Milk, and after it starts boiling add after Kesar and Haldi

Add 1 teaspoon of Soaked sabja or Tulsi seeds after you pour the drink into a cup

You can add powdered jaggery to taste.

Rujuta further suggests that Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and carotene supplements will be helpful in this situation. Some natural sources include: